Of the final 2

And so hady wins...but I couldn't help noticing how Gurmit said the winner's name in a flat minced tone, and the judges' faces were all rather disappointing to watch. They weren't exactly off their seats raring to congratulate the winner. And so I started to wonder all along if they'd actually been thinking of the prospects if Jon had won...I mean, okay, pros:

1. The guy has marketability appeal for all kinds of products from nin jiao pa kao (the cough syrup that everyone buys) to lifestyle products (clothing apparell, supersonic shavers, hairstyle, new age cutting trends-tatoos anyone?!) to non-halal food outlets. Hey, maybe NUS FASS can even use him as an icon for a new ad they're preparing. Local brands would hunker after him to help in marketing their products. Does anyone wonder how come taufik only seems to be advertising for 7-11 BIG GULP? I mean, come on, with enough marketing effort he'd have enough soft power to bring in the kaching for several local brands. Maybe after the revamping of his first video from a club setting to a totally monotonous one in the middle of a huge padang, maybe advertisers started to deem his image rather conservative and traditionalistic and started to move away from the idea of using him. If Hady's not strong enough to potray his individuality and versatility while still being aware of his religious values, then the same problem would consume him. Jon, however, would be easier to market as he's more mainstream-values, ideals, lifestyle, etc. And the added fact that he speaks well just highlights the fact that he doesn't have to be groomed to be a good ambassador for X or Y or Z.

2. Jon's the better spokesman and that's pretty obvious. He'd be able to hold on his own in bringing a whole new way of looking at the entertainment industry. I mean, to compare SI to another reality TV show aired on Suria, when Anugerah Skrin was featured too, they weren't just looking at youngsters who can act and compere well but individuals who can bring malay entertainment to a new level while having the support of the young crowd. One can imagine Jon being in the frontline of so many new campaigns related to music as a healthy medium to expressing oneself among youths.

Furthermore, the guy's an undergrad. Who's to rebut now that the education system is stifling anyone from reaching your dreams of becoming an entertainer? Jon's a prime example of one who can have your cake (dabble in your real interest) and eat it too (do it well). If you're really set on breaking it out in a new industry and willing to make the right sacrifices that is.

3. Obviously he'd do well in the Chinese music market with his smouldering good looks and rocker vocals. heh.

At the very least, Mendaki could use Hady for the new revamped "Katakan tidak kepada seks lebih sexy" campaign on in full force after the fasting month (the break in timing is what I find most ironic, the top-down approach to something too personal to many comes pretty close).

Anyway, Jon has done much to potray himself since he's come this far in the competition, and besides, this IS a singing competition after all. So after much contemplation, I finally chipped in my $1.20 worth for Hady. hee. Figured its not the no of votes that counts, its the ratio. And considering most people who vote for Hady don't see it as a mere vote but a way to express their power to change something which is finally within their capacity, there'd be plenty of voting happening that side anyways.

All said, Hady's the better raw vocalist, but Jon can emote the songs better.